John Lennon’s life was full of surprises, both on and off the stage. While fans adored his music, his personal stories often left people equally fascinated. One such story involves a moment that was as unexpected as it was mysterious.
In 1974, Lennon claimed to have seen a UFO, a sighting that he even commemorated on the cover of his album Walls and Bridges. This wasn’t just a passing comment—it was an experience he talked about in detail, sparking intrigue and speculation.
The event occurred during his so-called “lost weekend,” a turbulent yet creatively charged period in his life. It’s a story that blurs the line between the earthly and the extraordinary, offering a glimpse into a different side of Lennon’s world.
The Tumultuous “Lost Weekend”
In 1973, John Lennon and Yoko Ono decided to separate, beginning his “lost weekend,” an 18-month period of turbulence. During this time, Lennon recorded Mind Games with the “Plastic U.F.Ono Band” and reunited briefly with Ringo Starr and George Harrison to work on “I’m the Greatest.”
Lennon’s behavior grew erratic, fueled by heavy drinking with Harry Nilsson. He made headlines for being ejected from The Troubadour club after heckling the Smothers Brothers. Despite the chaos, he produced Nilsson’s Pussy Cats and recorded Mick Jagger’s “Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup),” which remained unreleased for years.
By late 1974, Lennon returned to New York and released Walls and Bridges. The album featured “Whatever Gets You thru the Night,” his only solo number-one hit. True to his promise, Lennon joined Elton John on stage at Madison Square Garden for a surprise performance, capping off this chaotic chapter.
John Lennon’s UFO Encounter
During this tumultuous “lost weekend,” John Lennon found himself caught in an extraordinary moment. On August 23, 1974, at 9 PM, Lennon claimed he felt a sudden urge to step onto his balcony. What he saw left him stunned—a glowing, circular object with white lights along its edge and a blinking red light on top.
Lennon was adamant that he wasn’t under the influence of anything at the time. He even tried to document the strange object, using two different cameras to capture photos. Yet, despite his efforts, no evidence came through.
Determined to understand what he witnessed, Lennon contacted the police, who revealed that others had reported seeing the same thing. Still, the mystery remained, turning his sighting into one of the most puzzling stories from his already fascinating life.
Lennon’s UFO Inscription
Lennon chose to immortalize his UFO experience in a subtle yet intriguing way. On the cover of his Walls and Bridges album, he inscribed the date, time, and a brief mention of the sighting. This cryptic nod left fans and critics speculating about the story behind his mysterious encounter.
Lennon’s sighting wasn’t an isolated case among celebrities. Other icons, such as David Bowie and Elvis Presley, had also claimed to witness unexplained phenomena. These stories added a surreal element to their already larger-than-life personas.
Such celestial encounters only deepened public fascination with these stars. For Lennon, it became another layer of intrigue, blending his musical genius with a brush of the unexplained.
You can watch Lennon explain his UFO experience below: